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[briaberri]

Yes, the sisters as kittens <3. It's so obvious to me, who is who in each.

[briaberri]

Feeling so enraptured by sisterhoods lately and. A celebratory smatter of the Archies as avatars: hot cocoa, crowns, and flowers.

[briaberri]

For the love of twins: Nuala and Cerridwen

When I imagine the wraith twins, born of smoke and secrets, I imagine this breathtaking Pooja Mor in double. Easy to envision them slipping in and out of corporeality and shadow, soft as a whisper and sharp as a spy. That Nuala, Elain, and Cerridwen are each others' secret keepers, culinary collaborators, and heart space holders is a dark kiss of truth. <3

[briaberri]

On the Fire Queen: Vassa the Phoenix

I love her story in the making and the winding trails of mystery around her. Vassa the haunted, the just, the witty, the passionate, and soon, the triumphant. Whew... unleash her. When a certain child of Autumn/Day comes spell-cleaving, burning curses to ash, and they battle together against the tyranny of a death god.... whew. I think they'll light up the world.

[briaberri]

I don't worry about the official books anymore. They were nice inspiration. The rest of the elain/elriel imaginarium has blossomed such beautiful fiction, spin offs, and satisfying arcs of power, diversity, and depth.... it's actually fine. 🌄💘

[briaberri]

Elriel give me a whole new feel about the phrase 'what we do in shadows'. Yes loves, what you do. Please. Do. 🦋🖤🌸🦇

[briaberri]

If there is anyone who can draw out an experience that'll alter one's life forever, it's Azriel; a ruthless master of physical endurance, anticipation, and need.

When I think about what this means, being in love with Elain, and she with him, my brain loses coherence.

[briaberri]

Endearing to associate Elain with fungi? 100%. 🌸🍄

Like any observant secret keeper, most the work is below the surface; a network of subtle connections that hinge on balance and time. Then above, what blooms from the rot -- utterly otherworldly and organic as can be. Capable of life, death, and transcendence. The product of that alchemical blossom we call transformation.

Pink fungi

[briaberri]

Noticing that it wasn't the, 'help you to stand from sitting' polite hand. Elain stood up on her own. She held his hand to walk outside together. She didn't need the grasp to rise....she wanted to (ahem, chose to) take his hand -- and Az instinctually knew to offer it. Their natural softness melts my whole heart.🦋💙🌱

This is such an underrated Elriel moment.

I dragged a hand over my face before going to Elain and touching her too-bony shoulder. “Can I set you up in the garden? The herbs you planted are coming in nicely.”

“I can help her,” said Azriel, stepping to the table as Elain silently rose. No shadows at his ear, no darkness ringing his fingers as he extended a hand.

Nesta monitored him like a hawk, but kept silent as Elain took his hand, and out they went.

Elain is given the option to have either Feyre or Azriel take her to the garden, and without saying a word, she takes Azriel’s hand and they go out together.

SJM better give us flashbacks to these little moments in the next book.

[briaberri]

so spoken. mother bless this <3

dark academia elriel au where Azriel is a music student {violinist} purposely failing botany so Elain can tutor him. though in secret he's curating a breathtaking garden for her in a conservatory and writing haunting, beautiful compositions devoted to her every night. Ivy coiling up walls, rain on windowpanes, shadows on parchment, etc.

[briaberri]

Secret lovely sanctuary

Long ruminated on a head cannon that Azriel has grown a bathroom greenhouse in his spartan, private loft apartment of Velaris. Azriel is a studious perfectionist (poor kid), who wouldn't indulge except in the most exceptional circumstances. The vulnerability of that act is something he would keep deeply private -- even in his own space.

I imagine Azriel's apartment is a utilitarian, clean, but lonely place of monochromatic greys and blacks (and the occasional blue, hand woven blanket hidden in a trunk -- momma's don't let their babies go without:). In this stark space, w he has two bathrooms: one for rare guests (just his brothers), and another behind his closed double doored suite where no one is allowed. There's no mirror in his private bathroom, but there is a large window and skylight. He doesn't need to look at himself, alone. He cannot abide a home without abundant natural light.

Every surface and wall is loaded with houseplants he's learned to cultivate as a secret sanctuary where he feels closer to Elain. He started with just one, a maidenhair fern, to understand her passion and learn more about who she is. It began as curiosity of this new, overlookable member of their family, this new friend. It grew to wonder -- and then swelled to a fascinating, unrestricted refuge where he imagines her presence everywhere. (Did Elain cast a spell on him that began with absence and desire? Certainly <3 #deborahharknessshoutout)

In this one space of his life, he doesn't have to reserve himself, or mask his wishes. This lush, bright bathroom becomes a secret, lovely sanctuary where his desire to nurture can explore without eyes, and he remembers her in every leaf he touches. He's not naturally a green thumb, but he's naturally a studious and meticulous student, so he becomes one of Elain. And plant by plant... the exercise of growing life from his own hands becomes revelatory for possibility.

There in the quiet, moist air, away from any eyes or knowledge, he studies, and practices everything she explains as they kneel in the gardens where she works. Elain, of course, notices the specificity of his questions. She will, of course, be the only person who ever sees what he's created. And of course when she does... <3

[briaberri]

just beautiful and precise <3 @jasmineandcedar

Synopsis: The quiet ones and defiance for love

Today I was minding my own business, thinking about Elain, then thinking about Azriel, then thinking about them, as one does.

I thought about the quiet ones, where you’ll have to look a little further than their sleeve to see what’s in their hearts. And I thought of how they saw each other. Of faint smiles and an outstretched hand. Of sunlight bathing them as he saw her needs. Of her seeing beauty where others saw scars. Of a voice soft as night, and her throat bobbing. Of a thoughtful gift that lit up his eyes and found its place on his bedside table. Of time spent together well into the night. Of shy glances and small smiles.

I thought of charged gazes and brushing fingers.

Then I thought of a cruel fate. I thought of Elain, choice taken from her once again. I thought of Azriel, pained to the point of torment. Of sleepless nights and razing thoughts. Of wants and needs and overheated skin. Of the agony of staying away. Of Elain, well aware of that as she pivots into his touch. Of the two of them, “in the dark and quiet, with no one to see”. Of one secret taste. Of her breathing “yes” as she reads his decision. I thought of his hand in her hair, her lips parting. Of relief and need, and eyes full of trust and hope. Cauldron be damned, the Mother as their witness. Of being right on the edge of bliss as fate, corrupt as it were, once again makes its presence known.

I thought again of how this type of attraction, this depth of connection, the yearning, the longing to the point of agony, the secret boldness, the quiet reassurance, the consent, the kindness, the bond that needs no words. The choosing each other. It is the very substance of romance. It is what you sneak out at night for, “subtle and unnoticed”. It’s secret and forbidden and intoxicating and irresistible. It’s deep and profound and devastating and beautiful. It’s what you question your belief system over. It’s “what if the Cauldron was wrong?” and “you can’t order me to do that”. It’s defiance, for the sake of love. And surely, this is what happily ever afters are for, if there ever were one.

[briaberri]

Dreamy Dawn 3: And one of my favorite imaginings, is Elain on her solo ambassadorial tour, taking time to study mountain herbs in the famous red-tiled apothecaries of Thesan's court. It's easy to imagine that she'd find relief and studious stimulation in the lush, soft lighted court of innovators and inventors. Elain's diligence, receptivity to learn, and natural inclination to rise early would make it an easy place to find her autonomous feet. And, would she love the (Tang inspired, in my daydreams) creamy gossamer robes that whisp like milky clouds at dawn? I am certain she returns to Night with a solid wardrobe.

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Dreamy Dawn 2: I imagine that credit to the radiantly enlightened and ever poised sophisticate that Thesan is, he sponsors guilds of several masteries: painting, literature, classical dance, architecture, music, landscaping. In addition to his unparalleled healers schools, the guilds tour Dawn Court villages, especially as gifts to the peregrine guard based across the mountainous realm.

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Dreamy Dawn 1: The luminous Steven Yeun embodies Thesan, HL of Dawn to me. In my imagination, I see a soft light drenched hanfu inspired paradise. Sunrise tea rituals, resonant guzhengs, sculptural gingkos, and bamboo forests mountains gilded with waterfalls make it the most breathtaking of all the lands.

[briaberri]

@offtorivendell all the way on it. Elain is an earth sign (in my imagination😊) with quiet rivers that run deep. Usefulness is central to worth, dignity, and confidence. It's coming. She'll shake up the world. 💙🩷

And truly....if not.... fanfic writers have blown the game out of the water. 🦋

Elain Archeron Week, Day 1: Visions

I've theorised before about how I think Elain's powers - specifically her Sight, but possibly other aspects of her magic, too - might work, with regards to her murky realm/the Void, the effects of light and even magical medicinals (could witchberries play a part instead of bloodbane?) so today I want to talk a little about why I think having such a useful power could be so meaningful for Elain.

ACOSF suggested that Elain was raised by Mama Archeron to have no independent thought; no dreams of her own, no goals bigger than her garden. She was to be the family's pawn on the marriage mart in their quest for power. Valued for her looks alone, not for what she could do.

Elain is pleasant to look at, her mother had once mused while Nesta sat beside her dressing table, a servant silently brushing her mother’s gold-brown hair, but she has no ambition. She does not dream beyond her garden and pretty clothes. She will be an asset on the marriage market for us one day, if that beauty holds, but it will be our own maneuverings, Nesta, not hers, that win us an advantageous match. Nesta had been twelve at the time. Elain barely eleven. She’d absorbed every word of her mother’s scheming, plans for futures that had never come to pass. - ACOSF, chapter 17

And then Azriel said this...

But Azriel asked softly, taking a single step over the threshold and into the sitting room, “What other?” Elain’s brows twitched toward each other. “The queen—with the feathers of flame.” The shadowsinger angled his head. Lucien murmured to me, eye still fixed on Elain, “Should we—does she need …?” “She doesn’t need anything,” Azriel answered without so much as looking at Lucien. Elain was staring at the spymaster now—unblinkingly. “We’re the ones who need …” Azriel trailed off. “A seer,” he said, more to himself than us. “The Cauldron made you a seer.” - ACOWAR, chapter 32

Besides the fact that Sight must be an incredibly difficult power to navigate at the best of times, I will always wonder how much it meant to Elain to hear she was needed for a skill. Something she could work at and contribute that went beyond the looks she was born with. Something that could - and did - allow her to prove her mother wrong when her own "maneuverings" saved lives at the end of ACOWAR.

Even before Elain understood what was happening, while she was still lost in her murky realm, she tried to use her visions to warn/help her family. One of her biggest contributions being her untrained doe eyes peering across the world, leading Feyre to the Suriel in ACOWAR, then of course everything that followed when she ignored orders to return to camp and ended up killing the King of Hybern and saving Nesta and Cassian, and massively weakening Hybern's army.

Our trembling fawn has a backbone of steel, I can't wait for her to shine and grow in her own book. 🌿

@elainarcheronweek

[briaberri]

Even if it's just a seed, you might surprise yourself. Give it time, give it love, give it permission. Watch it grow.